“This collaborative project drives home the point that we are all co-owners of our public lands,” said Paul McFarland of Friends of the Inyo. “With that ownership comes a responsibility to ensure we take care of them for today and tomorrow.”
No matter how people are getting out to enjoy their public lands, they are usually all looking for the same thing – a good time in vast open spaces. With million of acres, hundreds of miles of trails and streams, thousands of miles of road, there is room enough in the Eastern Sierra for everyone.
“The use of dirt bikes, OHVs and 4 wheel drives is one of the fastest growing forms of recreation on public lands today. Taking the personal responsibility to ride with respect, and ‘stay the trail’ can go a long ways toward helping to protect these lands that we all love and enjoy,” stated Forest Supervisor Jim Upchurch.
According to project organizers, the goal of the Stay the Trail campaign is to ensure visitors and locals alike know that the future health and access to our public lands hinges largely on how we treat them today. Irresponsible dumping of trash, driving off existing roads or cutting of trail switchbacks not only damages the land, but can also gives a lasting black-eye to those who enjoy our public lands responsibly.
To preserve our land and protect our ability to enjoy it, the message is simple – “Stay the Trail!”
This project has been completely funded by local organizations – the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, Advocates for Access to Public Lands, Friends of the Inyo and the Eastern Sierra 4-wheel drive club. Alpine Signs of Bishop printed the signs at a generous discount, while Brown’s Salvage of Bishop donated the metal sign posts.
For more information about the Stay the Trail campaign, contact Greg Weirick of AAPL at 937-4849 or Paul McFarland of FOI at 760-709-1093.
